News

Evaluating PG&E Rate Hikes: Historical Patterns Suggest 7-11% Annual Increases Amid Ongoing Pressures
The hypothesis positing that Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) will experience sustained rate hikes over the next decade—fueled by 10-year loans, established policies, and intensifying energy demands from domestic manufacturing, AI, and data centers—gains additional weight when viewed through the lens of historical trends. While recent PG&E proposals indicate modest future increases, a deeper look at the past 10+ years reveals a "standard" pattern of 7-11% annual compounded hikes, far exceeding the 3-4% often cited in short-term forecasts. This discrepancy underscores why lower estimates may be misleading, as external pressures... Read more...
New Legislation Tightening Domestic Manufacturing Requirements for Solar Panels and Batteries in the USA
As the U.S. pushes for energy independence and reduced reliance on foreign supply chains—particularly from China—the recently signed One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) on July 4, 2025, introduces stricter domestic content rules for solar panels and batteries. While not imposing a blanket mandate that all such products must be "mostly made in America," the legislation significantly raises the bar for tax credit eligibility, effectively requiring higher levels of U.S. (or non-foreign entity of concern) manufacturing to access key incentives. This builds on the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) of 2022 but... Read more...
Update on the One Big Beautiful Bill: A New Incentive for American-Made Vehicles Amid EV Tax Credit Phase-Out
In our previous discussion of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), signed into law on July 4, 2025, we highlighted how it accelerates the end of key clean energy incentives, including the federal EV tax credit under Section 30D. This credit, worth up to $7,500 for new EVs and $4,000 for used ones, is set to expire between September 30, 2025, and June 30, 2026, potentially making electric vehicles less affordable for many buyers. However, the bill isn't all about cuts—it introduces a new tax deduction for auto loan... Read more...
Unpacking the One Big Beautiful Bill Act: New Energy Laws and Their Impacts on Residential and Commercial Sectors
The "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" (OBBBA or OBBB), signed into law by President Trump on July 4, 2025, represents a major overhaul of U.S. energy policy through budget reconciliation. Building on modifications to the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) of 2022, this legislation scales back incentives for clean energy while bolstering fossil fuels and carbon capture technologies. Proponents hail it as a step toward "energy dominance" by reducing regulatory burdens and promoting domestic production, but critics argue it will raise costs, hinder clean energy growth, and exacerbate emissions. In this... Read more...
New Legislation and Regulations for Recycling Batteries and Solar Panels in the USA
New Legislation and Regulations for Recycling Batteries and Solar Panels in the USA As the United States accelerates its transition to renewable energy, the volume of end-of-life solar panels and batteries is surging. These materials contain valuable resources like critical minerals, but they also pose environmental risks if not managed properly, including hazardous waste concerns and fire hazards from lithium batteries. In response, federal and state governments have introduced new regulations and proposals in 2024 and 2025 to promote recycling, reduce landfill waste, and ensure safer handling. This blog post... Read more...
US Senate blocks California's Electric Car mandate
Recent developments in the U.S. Senate regarding electric vehicle (EV) mandates primarily center on the repeal of California’s Advanced Clean Cars II regulation, which aimed to phase out new gas-powered vehicle sales by 2035. On May 22, 2025, the Senate voted 51-44 to pass House Joint Resolution 88, overturning the federal waiver granted by the Biden administration that allowed California to enforce stricter vehicle emissions standards, including the EV mandate. This resolution, supported by Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), and Deb Fischer (R-NE), was signed into law... Read more...
California's 2035 EV mandate
California's 2035 EV mandate requires that 100% of new cars and light trucks sold in the state be zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) by that year. This includes battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). The mandate is part of the state's broader efforts to reduce air pollution and combat climate change.  Zero-Emission Vehicle Program Read more...
California 2045 Energy Mandates
California’s 2045 energy mandates focus on achieving 100% clean, carbon-free electricity and carbon neutrality across the state’s economy. Below is an overview of the key policies and their implications. Key Mandates 1. 100% Clean Electricity (Senate Bill 100, 2018) California aims to source 100% of retail electricity sales from renewable and zero-carbon sources by December 31, 2045. Interim Targets: 60% renewable energy by 2030 90% clean electricity by 2035 95% clean electricity by 2040 Eligible Sources: Solar, wind, geothermal, small hydroelectric, large hydroelectric dams, and nuclear power. Progress: In 2022, 39%... Read more...